Truck driver in Tracy Morgan crash pleads not guilty

Truck driver Kevin Roper pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of vehicular manslaughter and assault by auto in a crash that critically injured comedian Tracy Morgan and killed his friend, Reuters reported.

Prosecutors said the Wal-Mart Stores driver, who was arraigned in New Jersey, had not slept in more than 24 hours when his truck caused a pileup Saturday as it slammed into the back of a limo van carrying Morgan and his friends, including comedian James "Jimmy Mack" McNair, who died at the scene.

Morgan, best known for roles on "30 Rock" and "Saturday Night Live," and two other passengers were critically injured and remain hospitalized. Morgan's spokesman said the comedian "remains in critical but stable condition" because of a broken leg, nose and ribs.

Roper remains free on $50,000 bail. The next court date is not yet set.